Process for the treatment of zinciferous ores and metallurgical products.



No. 875,42 i. PATENTED DEC. 31, 1907.

J. H. GILLIES.

PROCESS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ZINGIPBROUS ORES AND METALLURGICAL PRODUCTS. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 20,1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED DEC. 31. 190?. J. H. GILLIES. BOCESS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ZINGIFERIOUS ORES AND METALLURGICAL PRODUCTS. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 20. 1906.

S SHEETS-SHEET Z No. 875.424. PATENTED DEG. 31v 1907. J. H. GILLIES.

PROCESS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ZINOIFEROUE ORES AND METALLURGICAL PRODUCTS.

APPLICATION TILED AUG. 20, 19001 3 SHEETSSHEET .5.

Products, of

ess for the treatment of JAMES HYNDES GlLLlES, 0F AUBURN, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

.FZtGCESS F03 rm TREATMENT OF ZINGIFEROUS GEES AND METALLURGICAL PRODUCTS.

Nor 375,42 1.

Specification of Letters Patent.

i atented 2060.13 1 1907.

Application filed August 20. 1906. Serial No. 331,375.

To all-whom it may concern:

it known that JAMES HYNDES GiLLins, citizen of the Commonwealth of Australia, residing at Mia 'Mia/"Riversdale Road, Auburn, in the State of Victoria, Common-- wealth of Australia, mining engineer, have invented certain new and useful Improvemcnts in an Improved Process for the Treatmcnt of Ziuciferous Ores and Metallurgical which the following is a specification.

lily invention relates to unimproved proczinciferous ores and metallurgical products, and refers more particularly to the treatment of zinc sulfid ores generally know es refractory in which .e zinc is associated with such metals as iron lead coppennnd have hitherto been very difficult of trcetment.

Though my invention is herein described as app ed to thetreatmcnt of zinc sulfid ores, it will ice-well understood that the term ores includes concentrates or other metallurgical products to which the process applicable.

Hitherto many attempts and suggestions have been made for-the treatment of these ores by what is known as the wet method by leaching after roasting for the removal of the zinc sulfate. In some cases the ores have been roasted for the fo auction of zinc sulrate which is then removed by leaching with water, while in others after being roastrovidc a rocoss b which the zinc ma be removed continuously and expeditiously by leaching with sulfuric acid, while the other in the residues and tailingsin a for subsequent treatment,

The zinc sulfate metals are l" suitable on m'efcrablv by s1 is tocn afterwards p rably converted into orzid for use as a pigment. I accomplish this object by providing a process consisting well understood that my Fig. 2 is a plan of the of a series of steps or operations as hereinafter described in which the crushed oreis first roasted to form a maximum amount of zinc sulfate and a minimum amount ofsiilfates of other metals then feeding such roasted ore continuously into an u-wardly moving current of dilute sulfuric acid, andfina'lly continuously separating the solution ofzlnc sulfate in a more or less concentrated form from the angue and mineral articles. The ore partifi with a movin leaching liquor; and the solution formed being continuouslyseparated from the gelatinous silicaan'd-other solids, the leaching is effected continuousl and expeditiously, while the possibility o -agglomcrating or asking is reduced to a minimum.

In order that m invention-may be the better understood will now proceed to describethc same by reference to theaccompanying drawings in which is shown a lant for carrying out the same, though it will be improved process is not confined to this a paratus.

Figure 1 is avertica sectional elevation (line l1,Fig. 2) showing'thc leaching vessel. same in section-(on the Fig. 3 is an elevation. one series or group of Fig.4'is an elevation o line 22, Fig. 1). partly in section of separator vessels. the complete plant. 7

In carrying out the process, the ore is rst subjected to a sulfating roast in a reverberw tory or mufllc surface to form a maximum amount of sulfate of zinc consistent with obtaming, at the same time a maximum amount of oxide of copper and iron. 'For this purpose the temperature, particularly at the finish, must be as to be suificicntly high to decompose any sulfates of iron and copper formed, but not high enough to decompose an undue proportion of the sulfate of zinc to oxid. The roastmg is preferably carried out in a furnace with superimposed hearths and mechanical rabblos so that the feed and delivery ofthe "ore is continuous and automatic. The 8111- furous acid gases from this ro'asting'furnacc are preferablyconducted to chambers 'for the formation of sulfuric acid for subsequent use in the process.

The roast ore while still hot is delivered into a vessel in whichthere is an upward current of dilute sulfuric acid. A suitable vessol for this purpose is shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

carefully controlled so formed preferably cylindrical in an outer wall A and inner wall B. These solution as hereinafter described.

walls A and B are made of acid-resisting material, such as regulus metal or hardened lead, and the outer wall A is preferably cast in hemispherical sections having flanges (L by which they may be clamped or fastened to gether. The walls A and B are stepped and form together an annular space C surrounding an internal spar D. At the bottom the walls A and B are continued in the form of inverted cones A and B respectively. The outer wall A is provided with a discharge ipe A leading from the annular space 0 and delivering into a sum or tank A The inner wall B is provide with a discharge ipe B 2 leading out through ,he outer wall A om the internal space D. An inlet pipe E leading from the acid tank i (Fig. 4) is provided for the leaching liquor at the bottom of the vessel assing in throi gh the outer wall A and pre erably surrounding the discharge pipe B a1 delivering into the annular space C, tle bottom of the inner wall B forming a distributor for the li uors. The whole vessel is surrounded wit 1 a steam jacket F between the flanges of which the flanges a are clamped. At the top is a hopper G preferably rotatable, having feed arms G delivering the ore into the annular space C. A hood H is also provided, having an upwardly projecting pipe H for leading away any fumes formed in the leaching.

The separator vessels are arranged in series or grou s. In Fig. 5 is shown one series or grou w is in Fig. 4 is shown the complete p ant containing four such series or groups. Referring to Fig. 3 J is a separator vessel having an inverted conical or pyramidal bottom similar to ordinary settling boxes or spitzkasten with a discharge opening L having a control cock L or other like device, and an annular lip or launder M at the top. Each vessel is provided with an internal cylinder K into which the sludge is delivered, and a spout N leading from the li' or launder M of one vessel to the cylinder 1% of the vessel next below it in series. Each series or group of vessels J has a launder P adapted to receive the solids in the form of sludge, as delivered from the. openings L, while at the bee d oi each launder P is a sump or tank S for providing wash water or weak At the lower end 0.: each series or group oi separator vessels is a receiving sump or tank B. within which the clear solutions are collected. as overflowing from the lip M of the last vessel in the series.

Referring to Fig. 4-, the vessels in the first group or series are designated J inv the second J in the third J, and in the fourth J and similarly the laumlcrs are designated P, P, P and P- respectively, the receiving sumps or tanks R R R" and it respectively, and the shape withmates washing tanks 8, S and S respectively,there being .nd washing tank for the lowermost series. A-tanlrQis provided for wash water arranged in any convenient position. Each of the tanks R, Rfllt and Rfls provided with a pipe 1", r r and r res ecti'vely, means for raising the solutions as uors as required, here shown consisting of air lifts 'w w and w connected to pipes W containing compressed air. The wash water. tank Q is shown with a pipe having an air lift w" connected to the an pipe W. The pipe 9* from the receiving sump R second receiving sump R The pipe W delivers the solution from the receiving sump R to the acid storage tank T for reuse in leaching. The pipe r delivers from the receiving sump R to the washing sump S. The pipe 1* delivers from the receiving sump R to the washing sump S The washing sump S is replenished with wash water by means of the pipe 9" fromthe tank Q.

The roasted ore while still hot is delivered into the top of the annular space C of the leaching vessel in which there is an upward current of dilute sulfuric acid. as supplied by the pipe E f rom the tank T. The ore moving downwards from step to step in the annular space C comes into intimate contact with the upward moving current of dilute sulfuric acid and the zinc is dissolved out as sulfate. At the same time strong acid may be introduced into the ore as fed in, and the one being hot, the temperature is maintained, while the steam jacket F insures the rapid dissolving of the zinc. Theliquors and zinc sulfate so lution pass over the edge of the inner wall B into the internal space D together with the slimes and finer particles. The gangne and the undissolved mineral particles pass downwards in the annular space C and are con tinuously withdrawn through the opening A and discharged into the sump or tank A i or subsequent treatment by smelting or otherwise, if necessary.

he solution of zinc sulfate and soluble salts together with the slimes as delivered from. the internal space D by means of the pipe B are treated in a special manner for the separation of the mechanically contained particles and for obtaining a concentrated or saturated solution of zinc sulfate. But prior to this mechanical separation if there re sulfates of iron or cop er tion they may be remover. by the addition of a suitable quantity of zinc oxid. For this purpose the solutions and shines from the pipe B would be delivered into a special vat where the zinc oxid is added and the mixture agitated before passing to the separators. The iron and copper present are thus thrown down as oxid's and the zinc goes into solution. as sulfate. These solutions, slimes, oxide, and other solids are then fed into the topmost vessel J of thefirst series or group of discharges into. the a present in soluseparators. The clear solutions flow over the upper edge into the lips or launders M and misses into the receiring sump or tank R. if the solut on in the tank; R 18 not sufstrong in'zinc sulfate it is returned o licicu to the orage tanlr "3. either direct or through the seen; i renew sitiniip R by means oi- J, J until the sludge flowsout from the iowern-iost series practically free from any soluble salts. The cycle is maintained by turning the clear solutions obtained from i be lower groups back to the washing sumps of the upper groups, as shown, the clear sohuzions in receiving sumps R and R going lHiG V o r l; to Washing sum-ps S and S res ectively y inc medium of pipes r and 7 w ile Wash er is led into the washing sump S". In way the solutions are gradually worked to a state of saturation and the solutions "mined in the receiving sump 8. becomes tr while at the same time the s in circulation is maintained ring in the washing sump S to oi the solutions withdrawn from sump ll. The leaching liquor .is iso cmitinuously replenished acid.

"ed solution of zinc sulfate is m the sump it and the zinc s c ystallizationf Again, any cop o :resent may be reinov d by the addition zinc i; id. The oi liquors left crystallization are returned to the tank for re-use in leaching; The sulfate oi an obtained in the crystallized. form afte dehydration is heated in any suilil mice to form Zinc oxid, at the some the sulfur-nus acid ascs evolved may utilized. for melting sulfuric acid for use e The mineral particles and i w n sulfate rem oi process.

separated lroin the solutions and r d irom the separator vessels may be er washed in a rat with agitation and iferous ores and metallurgical products, feeding the roasted ore downwardly through an upwardly moving current of dilute sulfuric acid, and drawing oil the solution of zinc s l fate at the top, and the gangue andv undissolved mineral particles at the bottom, suhstantially as d scribed.

An improved process for the treatment of Zinciierous ores and metallurgical products, consisting of first roasting the ore to form a maximum amount of sulfate of zinc, and minimum amount of sulfates of iron and copper, then ceding such roasted ore downwardly into a vessel in which there is an upwardly moving current of dilute sulfuric a-id, witlnlrawing the gangue and undissolvcd izineral particles i rom the said vessel at the b om, and withdrawing the solution of zinc so ate and other soluble salts together witl the slimes and. certain mineral particles at the top, and finally subjecting the said solutions and the slimes and certain mineral pa iicles to alternate settling and washing oi the solids, substantially as described.

4. In process for the treatment of zinciferous and. metallurgical products in .which the roasted ore is treated with dilute sulfuric acid, separating the solutions of Zinc sulfate and soluble salts from the slimes and undissolved particles by subjecting there to alternate settlement a d Washing of the solids, the clear solution; obtained in the lower I settling operations being used for the higher washing operation to produce a concentrated solution of sulfate of Zl'llG, substantially as describ d.

5. In a procr s fOIL the treatment of zinc ifcrous ores arui metallurgical products in which the roasted ore fed tluou 'h an upwardly moving 01 nt o'l dilute suliuric acid passing th soluti .ns and shrines and. certain mineral *ticles carried there through series orgroups of settling boxes or separators and returning the clear solutions obtained from the lower series or groups of settling boxes or separators to the upper series or groups for washing the solids in their passage between the series or groups of boxes or separators, substantially as described.

6. An improved process for the ti eatmont of zincilerous ores and metallurgical prod-' ucts consisting of first roasting the ore, second feeding such roasted ore dmvnwardly through an upwardly moving current .of dilute sulfuric acid, thirdly, adding zinc oxid for the precipitation of any iron or copper present in solution, and finally separating lire solutions from the solids bysubjecting them to i'ili'vernate s tt hing operation uihsn'intially as 7. An improved pro-c of zincilerous ores and inciaiiur vaconsisting in first roasting t feeding such roasted ore downw an upwardly moving current of dilute sultions from the lower settling operations being tially as described.

at are,

furic acid, thirdly addingzinc oxid for the precipitation of any iron or cop er present in solution, fourthly' separating t e solution of zinc sulfate from the solids by alternate settling and washing operations, the clear soluused for the higher washing operations, iifthly removing the zinc sulfate from solution by crystallization, and finally, heating the zinc sulfate crystals to form zinc OXlCl, substan' 9. An improvedprocess for the treatment of zinciferous ores and metallurgical products consisting of first roasting the ore, second feeding such roasted ore downwardly through an upwardlymoving current of dilute sulfuric acid, thirdly drawing off the gangue and undissolved Inineral particles at the bottom,

fourthly, Withdrawing the solutions of zinc sulfate and soluble salts at the top together with sliines and certain particles carried therewith, fifthly adding zinc oxid to precipitate the iron and copper, eixthly separating the solutions from the solids by passing them through series or groups of settling boxes or separators, seventhly, subjecting the solids as passing between each series or group of separators to a Wash with clear solutions ob- 40 tained from the lower series or group of sepa raters to obtain a concentrated solution of -zinc sulfate, eighthly,.reinovin the Zinc sulfate from solution by crystallization, and finally heating the zinc sulfate crystals to 4 form zinc oxid, substantially as described.

10. In a processjorthe treatment of .zinoiferous ores and'inetallurgical products, feeding the roasted ore by gravity through a current of dilute sulfuric acid moving contiuuously in an opposite direction, and separat in the solution of zinc sulfate from the solids, substantially as described. i

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscrihingwiir nesses.

JAMES HYNDES GILLIES; Witnesses: CLIJM A. HACK, PERCY liaisons. 

